Chapter Text
In all honesty Ryunosuke was not expecting to actually get the job when he applied, sure he had come there often enough to the point he and the usual worker knew each other's names but still. He walked into the small cafe on the corner of the street, the little bell hanging above the door gave a small jingle. A lady wearing a pink kimono with a frilly white apron looked up and gave Ryunosuke a gentle smile.
“Good morning Naruhodo-san! Welcome back to Blooming Delights. How can I help you?” She brought her hands together as Ryunosuke awkwardly approached the counter.
“Um, Good Morning Susato-san. I was wondering if I could apply for a job?” Ryunosuke coughed slightly. The lady blinked in surprise for a second then smiled.
“Let me go ask my father, but we were thinking we could use some help.” She tilted her head for a second in thought. “I’ll be right back.” She bowed slightly before moving behind a sliding door that led to the kitchen outside of the view of the customers. Ryunosuke idly tapped his fingers against the counter while he waited. He glanced around the cafe, studying the wooden textured walls.
It was a very quaint cafe, Ryunosuke would often come here to study since none of his classmates seemed to have found the shop. Ryunosuke found it completely by accident a couple weeks ago when he had run inside to get out of the rain. He found he enjoyed the green teas they had so much that he continued to visit. Since he came by so often he slowly started to become acquainted with Susato who watched over the shop most of the time. Her father, Yujin Mikotoba, technically owned the shop but he was normally teaching at the school so Ryunosuke had yet to actually meet him since he had never had any of his classes, being an English major. There was a rustling and the sliding door to the back of the kitchen opened up as Susato and an older man stepped out.
“Good morning. Susato tells me you are here for a job?” The man asked.
“Yes.” Ryunosuke answered. He straightened his back, fully aware of how nervous he must look right now. Technically getting a job wasn’t even his idea. His parents said that they wouldn’t be paying his rent anymore because they said he needed to “spread his wings”. At least he had roommates to split the rent with and his parents were still paying to let him go to Yumei.
“Do you have any prior experience?” Ah and there was the issue. While Ryunosuke had made tea and coffee before it was nothing fancy and he had to pour lots of sugar in it to even be bearable. Not to mention he’s never had a real job before. Ryunosuke brought one of his hands up to scratch awkwardly at the back of his neck.
“Not exactly but I’m willing to learn.” Ryunosuke dropped his hand and fixed a determined gaze at the man. The man chuckled slightly while Susato fixed him with a skeptical look.
“Well we could use the help with how we seem to be getting more customers recently. I don’t think Susato can handle it all herself.” He glanced fondly at her daughter.
“Kazuma-sama helps from time to time as well.” Susato mentioned. The man gave a small tut but his gentle smile gave away that he wasn’t really annoyed. Kazuma-sama…? Ryunosuke paused for a moment at the name. Like Kazuma Asogi? Ryunosuke had heard that name around Yumei University from rumors here and there. Asogi was always top of his class and was apparently really handsome, in other words completely out of Ryunosuke’s league. Not that he even wanted to date him. From what Ryunosuke heard he always carried around a katana anyway and could be awfully scary at times. Besides, Ryunosuke hadn’t even met him.
“It’s decided then. Welcome to Blooming Delights.” The man paused for a second. “Ah, it seems I have forgotten to ask for your name or even introduce myself. Let me restart. My name is Yujin Mikotoba.” He held out a hand for Ryunosuke who quickly shook it.
“Ryunosuke Naruhodo!”
“Pleasure to meet you. Please come in.” Yujin opened up the door connecting the counter from the rest of the cafe and gestured for Ryunosuke to step through. “Once you get a tour, Susato can show you the ropes. I must go head upstairs to finish grading some assignments.”
As soon as Ryunosuke stepped behind the counter Susato immediately whisked him into the back kitchen. She pointed at each of the various machines and pantries, explaining where everything was, what they did, and how to use them. Ryunosuke tried to keep all the words straight but they seemed to just sort of blend together. A staircase in the corner did catch his eye but after seeing Mikotoba walk up he assumed that the living quarters probably were located above the shop.
“And that’s where you can find our tea assortments!” Susato finished, turning back to Ryunosuke. “Oh dear... I don’t know how much of that you caught.” Susato said slowly as she saw Ryunosuke’s bewildered expression.
“…sorry” Ryunosuke apologized, shoulders slumping forward. Susato tapped a finger against her cheek in thought.
“Here how about this, for the next couple of orders we can make them together until you get the hang of it.” Susato smiled gently.
“That sounds more manageable.” Ryunosuke let out a stressed laugh.
“Do not worry Naruhodo-san, we will practice this nonstop until you get it right.” Susato tapped a fist against her open palm with a determined expression.
“Haah…” Ryunosuke replied. Maybe this was a bad idea. Susato grabbed his wrist and pulled him back out to the counter.
“The university crowd will be coming soon so that will be the perfect training opportunity. You can also learn how to use the cash register and take orders.” Susato situated Ryunosuke in front of the register and stood diligently over his shoulder. “And now we wait.”
Ryunosuke stood straight-backed staring at the wooden door anxiously waiting for someone to enter. His eyes kept flicking nervously around the shop as if a customer may appear out of nowhere.
“I’ve never seen someone with eyes as wide as yours Naruhodo-San…” Susato commented with a small giggle, she had the courtesy to at least try to hide it by covering her mouth.
“So I’ve been told.” Ryunosuke sighed, slumping over. At that moment the door opened and Ryunosuke immediately perked up. A small girl with pink hair curled into a bow walked through the door. She was carrying a box that seemed just a little bit too big for her to efficiently carry but she managed it somehow.
“Good afternoon Susie! I have the next batch of teas!” The girl’s bright turquoise eyes peered over the box. They suddenly lit up when she spotted Ryunosuke.
“Runo! You got a job! Hurley is going to be disappointed... I heard him saying that if you couldn’t get a job he would pay your portion of rent if you agreed to let him experiment on you.” The small girl chattered away happily. Susato had a somewhat surprised look on her face. She quickly snapped out of it to grab the box from the girl before she could drop it.
“Mr. Sholmes said what?” Ryunosuke threw his hands up, taken aback. Despite having lived with the man for all of his years at Yumei he never fully got used to Herlock Sholmes’s strange experiments. He lived in constant fear.
“Don’t worry Runo!” Iris giggled. “I didn’t mention to him that technically he could do that whether or not you have a job.”
“I don’t think that’s something I’d agree to no matter what after last time.” Ryunosuke grumbled.
“So you two know each other?” Susato asked. The two turned back towards her. She was carrying the box to the counter and placed it next to Ryunosuke.
“Yeah, Iris is one of my roommates.” Ryunosuke explained. “I didn’t know you outsourced your tea?” He aimed the question to Iris who was now behind the counter helping Susato open the box of tea.
“It’s mainly to just get more opinions and ideas. Also it’s just fun.” Iris smiled and clasped her hands together. “I’m going to have to call Hurley about this. I’ll make you something special for dinner to celebrate!”
“Oh thank you Iris.” Ryunosuke smiled. Iris was probably the best cook he had ever met so you could count on whatever special thing she’s making to be something really good.
“Would you like to come Susie? I don’t think we’ve had you over before.” Iris turned her attention to Susato who was listening to their conversation with vague interest.
“Oh, thank you for the invitation! I’ll have to ask my father but I’m sure he won’t mind.” Susato answered politely with a small gasp of surprise.
“Very good! Well I must be off. I have to make sure Hurley doesn’t burn down the suite and I’ll need to get started on dinner if we are to have a celebration.” Iris hopped back over the counter and waved goodbye as the door Jingles her departure.
“Life must be very interesting in your suite by the sounds of it.” Susato commented dryly.
“You could say that again.” Ryunosuke answered with a small eye roll. He turned to the box which was filled with smaller colorful boxes each with a name written on top in fancy cursive. “But I guess that’s what makes it enjoyable.”
“Iris already has all the teas separated into boxes for us so we just have to put them in the back and add the flavors onto the specialty teas board.” Susato explained. “If you want to put these in the back I can do the board.” Ryunosuke nodded his agreement and grabbed the box, heading into the back. He found the pantry that he remembered Susato mentioning earlier that held the teas. Upon opening the door a whirlwind of different smells hit Ryunosuke’s nose making him sneeze. He shook his head and started to inspect the teas already in the pantry to see if there was any sort of order.
“Susato-San?” Ryunosuke called out. Susato’s black hair loops appeared in the doorway. She looked somewhat panicked but her face morphed into a passive smile when she saw Ryunosuke was just standing there. Ok I may be clumsy but I don’t think I’m that bad to look so panicked.
“Yes?” She asked quizzically.
“Is there any particular way you want me to put the teas away?” Ryunosuke asked, pointing slightly towards the remaining teas in the pantry.
“Alphabetically is fine.” Susato answered. There was a jingling of the bell at the door. “Ah, sounds like the university students are coming in. Finish putting the teas away for now and when you finish you can come help. I still have the board covered so don’t worry.”
“Alright. Thank you Susato-san.” Ryunosuke bowed his head slightly in thanks and started to sort through the teas.
“No problem.” Susato pulled her head back and Ryunosuke could hear her muffled voice greet the new customer. As Ryunosuke put the teas away he saw Susato bustle in and out of the room turning on different machines and pouring ingredients. It wasn’t long before Ryunosuke finished and he moved over to start watching Susato as she worked. She explained exactly what she was doing as she worked and even started enlisting Ryunosuke’s help to grab certain items or watch over certain machines.
Ryunosuke hardly noticed how much time had passed until Susato sent him outside to the counter to learn how to take people’s orders and he noticed that it was starting to get dark out. The last customer had left with Ryunosuke saying goodbye when Susato suddenly appeared next to his shoulder.
“Sorry for keeping you so late. You’ve done well, I think you’ll be ready without my help soon.” Susato complimented. Ryunosuke let out an embarrassed chuckle.
“Haah, thank you but I don’t know.” Susato let out a small “oh” and she bent over. She opened a cabinet under the counter and pulled out a brown bag.
“Here let me get your number so we can discuss your schedule and pay check. We’re pretty flexible.” Susato pulled out a light pink phone with a pale pink and purple Sakura flowers design. She typed in her password then handed it to Ryunosuke to add his contact. In return Ryunosuke passed her his phone which was just plain black. Susato’s phone buzzed with a notification as Ryunosuke added his number. All the text said was “Sorry I got caught up with schoolwork. I’ll be there in 5 minutes.” The notification went away before Ryunosuke could get around to reading the name.
“Alright.” Ryunosuke announced handing Susato’s phone back to her. “You got a text message just to let you know.” Susato nodded and handed back Ryunosuke’s phone while looking through her messages.
“Oh dear, it completely slipped my mind to ask father about eating with you and Iris.” Susato said suddenly as she looked up. “I’ll be right back Naruhodo-san. If someone comes in tell him I’ll be back soon.” Ryunosuke nodded as Susato slipped back to the kitchen. He sighed and slipped past the counter to wait in the lobby area. He scrolled through his own notifications, seeing he had a couple from Herlock congratulating him and asking if he could stop by the store to buy more toothpicks. Well that’s concerning. Ryunosuke debated if this was something he wanted to ask context for, or just pick up the toothpicks and not ask questions.
There was a jingle at the door making Ryunosuke look up. A taller man walked in. He had a rather flashy bright red hachimaki that seemed to be blowing without any wind. He had a handsome face from what Ryunosuke could see as he was looking down at his phone. He was wearing a Yumei uniform like Ryunosuke but he had on a belt with a rather noticeable katana attached. His tall boots made a clicking sound on the floor as he walked.
“Susato-san you will not believe the day I had.” The boy started to say as he looked up from his phone. He suddenly paused and looked at Ryunosuke in surprise before his face reverted into a more neutral expression. It was at that moment Ryunosuke noticed his eyes. They were absolutely gorgeous and seemed to sparkle in the light. It didn’t help that his black hair perfectly framed his face.
“Um, Susato-san will be back soon.” Ryunosuke managed to stutter out, trying not to stare. The boy crossed his arms and just stared blatantly at Ryunosuke while he shifted awkwardly.
“Father said I can go Naruhodo-san. I just need to grab my jacket.” Susato called out and she walked through the door before pausing, catching sight of the two boys staring at each other. “Ah, Kazuma-sama, I didn't hear you come in. You know Ryunosuke Naruhodo, correct?” The pointed way Susato said his name felt strange to Ryunosuke. He saw Kazuma flinch slightly.
“Yes Susato-san, I have seen Naruhodo-san around.” Kazuma confirmed with a stiff nod, he was giving Susato a sort of glare and his eyes seemed to flash. He turned away and put his piercing gaze back on Ryunosuke. “Kazuma Asogi.” He held out his hand which Ryunosuke shook.
“Nice to meet you Asogi-san.” Ryunosuke managed to say, somewhat aware of the slight tingling where he had grabbed Kazuma’s hand.
“I think it’s best we get on our way. We wouldn’t want to be late.” Susato interrupted, breaking the tense silence which had fallen over the group.
“You’re going out?” Kazuma asked, slight surprise laced his voice and he looked suspiciously at Ryunosuke. If Ryunosuke wasn’t mistaken he thought he saw a hint of worry flash in his eyes but it was gone before Ryunosuke could be certain.
“Not like that.” Susato answered firmly with a huff of annoyance. “Iris invited me to eat dinner with her, Naruhodo-San, and his other roommate.”
“Wait, hold on. I think I’m missing a lot of context here.” Kazuma held up one of his hands to pause Susato.
“Naruhodo-san is now working at the cafe. It turns out his roommate is also Iris and she was making a special dinner for him to celebrate.” Susato explained.
“I see…” Kazuma said slowly. His gaze seemed to keep flicking back to Ryunosuke which worried him. Ryunosuke kept eyeing the katana at Kazuma’s side.
“Father and you can still have dinner without me. Besides, I know you haven’t eaten since lunch.” Susato scolded, which made Kazuma roll his eyes. “Come Naruhodo-san let’s go.” Susato grabbed Ryunosuke’s wrist and pulled him away. Ryunosuke could still feel the gaze of Kazuma as he was dragged away.